Optimal Degree of Mouth Opening for Laryngeal Mask Airway Function During Oral Surgery

PurposeThis study was performed to determine the optimal degree of mouth opening in anesthetized patients requiring laryngeal mask airway (LMA) during oral surgery.Patients and MethodsA single, experienced LMA user inserted the LMA in 15 patients who were scheduled for elective oral surgery. Oropharyngeal leak pressure, intracuff pressure, and fiberoptic assessment of the LMA position were sequentially documented in 5 mouth conditions—opening of 1.4 (neutral position), 2, 3, 4, and 5 cm—and any resulting ventilatory difficulties were recorded.ResultsOropharyngeal leak pressure with the mouth open 4 cm (21.8 ± 3.2 cm H2O, P = .025) and 5 cm (27.3 ± 7.2 cm H2O, P < .001) was significantly higher than in the neutral position (18.1 ± 1.5 cm H2O), as was intracuff pressure (neutral position, 60.0 ± 0 cm H2O; 4 cm, 72.6 ± 5.1 cm H2O [P < .001]; and 5 cm, 86.9 ± 14.4 cm H2O [P < .001]). LMA position, observed by fiberoptic bronchoscopy, was unchanged by mouth opening, being similar in the 5 mouth conditions (P = .999). In addition, ventilation difficulties (abnormal capnograph curves or inadequate tidal volume) occurred in 2 of 15 patients (13%) and 7 of 15 patients (53%) (P < .001) with the mouth opening of 4 and 5 cm, respectively.ConclusionsThis study showed that a mouth opening over 4 cm led to substantial increases in oropharyngeal leak pressure and intracuff pressure of the LMA, warranting caution, because gastric insufflation, sore throat, and ventilation difficulties may occur. A mouth opening of 3 cm achieves acceptable airway conditions for anesthetized patients requiring LMA.